The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-02
POLITICS In CANADA.
HON. WIN. MACDOUGALJ, EX,GOV-
ERNOR OF MANITOBA,
On the Leading Issues, Says There
Is q Great Desire Among
the People
TO SECURE MORE FRIENDLY RE.
LATIONS With
The United States, and the Estab-
lishment Of a free CONNER
cial Trade.
THE SECESSION MOVEMENT IN
NOVA SCOTIA
Is Not for Annexation, but Merely
a Demand for y Larger sub, Idly
From the Treasury.

CINCINNATI, o., May 1.-The Hon.
William Macdougall, of Ottawa, Ont,
one of the greatest men OF Canada, ex-
Governor OF Manitoba, and the leader
Of the Liberals, OPT oIed to Sir John
Macdonald, lie guest. az the residence
of Mr.. George X. Shoenberger, in
Clifton. He is tall gentleman OF an
aristccratic Eng ish type, with polished
manners and easy speech. He has en-
ergetic views on all current questions,
and is power across the border. He
said:
81 think there is a great desire
among the people of al the provE ces
to 81 cure more free and friendly rela-
tons with the United States-in other
words, a commercial union. These
are satisfactory reasons why new and
friendly arrangements are desired by
the people OF Canada Some are con-
tending for a complete commercial
union to the extent of having the
same tariff as against the rest of the
world, and, therefore, free trade with
the Unliei States. There are serious
difficulties which present Themselves
to my mind In respect TO complete
commercial union in this, that do
not we'll see how we are to secure, in
7 that case, our due proportion of the
revenue derived from the high tariff
as against the rest of the worlu.
"For instance our ports are partially
closed in winter and imports for our
people would OF necessity, DUNG that
time, be taken to ports Of the United
States, where the import duties would
be collected. How to make con-
venient and equitable division would
be problem.
"Then another matter would have
to be coHsideje]. A large portion of
the population of the U nited States is
of clsss not found in Canada and
consume but few of the importstions
from abroad. l think, however, that
a satisfactory arrangement could be
made"
"What does the secession move ment
in Nova Scotia and the other provinces
mean2 Is it independence or annexa-
ton ?"
81 can only speak with confidence
as to Quebec and Ontario, and in my
10 DlONCulOub W
either kind in those provinces. There
is q general desire for more intimate
trade relations with the United States.
What is called the secession move
ment' in Nova Scotia consists, l be-
lieve, of q deeire and a demand for q
larger subsidy from the Dominion
Treasury than they have heretofore
received. The local or provincial gov
ernments, corresponding to your Stats
governments, receive under the exist
listing constitution, an annual sum
from the Dominion purse In propor-
ton, roughly, to their population.
Nova Scotia contendsthat her aid from
this source is insufficient, and she de-
mands an increase. AS this wou in
volve an increase in the subsidies to
all the other provinces, the Dominion
Government has refused and still re-
fuses to disturb the arrangements of
1867-the time we were confederated.
The provinces have the power OF direct
taxstion as well as certain local rev.
enues, and the larger provinces have
found these sufficient for all necessary
purposes. But reckless expenditure
for unproductive local works has era
ated some embarrassment, even in
Quebec, and ] fear the pressure for an
increase Of the annual subsidy will
soon prevail. Ia that case you will
hear very little about secession, even
in Nova Scotia"
"Are not the Nova Scotians more
favorable to annexation than the PEG.
pie of Ontario2"
II think not. As far as my mfr.
nation goee, / would say there are
more annexationists in proportion to
population in the latter than in the
former province. But annexation 10
not a live question anywhere in Can.
ada. / believe majority in all the
provinces would favor a reciprocity of
trade with the United States embrac-
ing the productions Of the two coun.
tries to a much larger extent than the
former treaty did. The demand for
commercial union pure and simple is
heard in MANY quarters, but, as have
said, the difficulties are not OF easy
soluion."
"What Is the prevailing opinion in
Canada with reference to the fishery
Strongly in favor Of a solution Of